Water-column for railroad water-tanks



2 Sheets-SheetY 1.

Patented Oct. 12,1880.

VN. PETERS, PHoTaLIl-IOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D c.

T. J. MOGOWAN. Water Column for Railroad Water Tanks.

(No Mode'l.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.D

THEODORE J. MCGOWAN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

WATER-COLUMN FOR RAILROAD WATER-TANKS.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,270, dated October 12, 1880. Application filed May 25, 1880. (No model.)

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THEoDoRE J. McGowAN, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Water-Columns for Railroad Water-Tanks or Water-Works Mains; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a partially-sectionized elevation of my water-column, the valves being closed, the relief-duct open, and the spout swung round in the normal position when not in use. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the head of the water-column, with the spout swung round at right angles t0 the position shown in Fig. l and elevated by the eccentric-pinions. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the c'onnecting-rods and cross-bars by which the upper portion or top of the chamber A is fastened to the head of the column, and the lever connection with the valve-rod. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the lower end of the discharge-main, with noncorrosive metal shoe and valve-guide. Fig. 5 is a section of the contrate-wheel clamped between flanges on the discharge-main. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the valve box or chamber and air-chamber. Fig. 7 is a section of the eccentric-pinion, showing the facet for holding the head of the column in place when not in use. Fig. 8 is a top plan of the eccentric pinions, the discharge-main, and valveguide and collar. Fig. 9 is an enlargement of the lower part of Fig. 1. Fig. l() is an end view of the spoutnozzle and attachments. Fig. 11 is a sectional plan view of the valvechamber and air-chamber.

Water enters'the column through the opening M in Figs. 1 and 9, between the valves 20 and 26. The lower valve, 26, is made larger than the upper, and presents a greater surface to the pressure of the water entering at N than the upper valve, 20, which pressure serves to hold the valves firmly on their seats when closed. The valves are fastened together by a short stem having right and left screwthreads, as shown inFig. 9, so that they may be readily brought close together or moved apart and adjusted on their seats by the square 27.

U is an air-chamber partly surrounding and connected with the valve-chamber M. Below the valve-chamber is a dash-pot consisting of the cylinder H, opening at the top into the chamber M, and closed at the bottom. In this cylinder is tted a piston attached to the stem F, which is connected with the valves and moves up and down with them. The piston is provided with small ducts 17, and the wall ofthe cylinder also has a small duct, G, its lower end opening into the cylinder and the upper into the chamber M. The piston on the stem F cannot be forced into the cylinder faster than the water in the cylinder can pass through these small ducts. It thus serves as a governor, and prevents the valves closing too suddenly and producing a jar or water-ram.

The cylinder H is provided with a flange, l0, by which it is bolted to the valve-chamber by the same bolts that fasten the casting or sheath 2.

Below the cylinder, in the sheath 2, the stem F is provided with a spring, which serves to hold the valves on their seats, and when open assists to close them. Within this stem F is a duct, K, its upper end opening into the chamber M, its lower opening below the bottoln of the sheath 2 when the main valves are closed; but when the valves are open the lower end of K opens against the sides of the opening in the sheath 2, through which the stem F passes, and is thus effectually closed while the water-column is in operation, preventing waste. It is immediately opened by the lowering of the stem F, when the valves 20 and 26 are closed, thus allowing the water left in chamber M and pipe E to be drawn 0E and prevent the danger of freezing. In summer, when there is no danger of freezing, this duct may be entirely closed by screwing the bolt J' and lock-nut i up tight, closing the lower end of the duct K entirely.

The discharge-main E opens into the chamberM at the top, and is secured by the flange B', bolts 25, and packing C. At the lower end of this main, on the inside, it is provided with a spider or bridge, either cast or inserted in the pipe, through which the valve-stem J passes, and which serves as a guide for the valve-stem.

The pipe Eis provided at its lower end, where it enters the valve box and passes IOO through the packing C', with a shoe, D, made of brass or copper or some non corrosive metal. An iron pipe passing through this joint and packing would soon become corroded and in a short time destroyed. By incasing an iron pipe with this shoe of non-corrosive metal that is prevented, and iron piping may be used, thus saving very material cost.

The upper and lower parts of the dischargemain pipes E and E are connected by a swivel-joint at any convenient point.

Around the upper part of the column Y is a wide ange, Y. Upon this iiange are cast or bolted a suitable number of ears, in which the eccentric pinions or cams V are journaled. The outer part of the periphery of these pin ions is beveled to fit against the contrate or crown wheel X and serve as a guide. Within the bevel the periphery of these eccentric-pinions is provided with cogs or teeth to engage with the crown-wheel X, by which they are revolved. There are just twice as many teeth in the contrate'wheel X as on each of the pinions V, so that a quarter-revolution of the contrate-wheel will cause a half-revolution of the pinions, so that when the spout O is swung around ninety degrees, or a quarter-revolution, the pinions are turned half around and raise the contrate-wheel X and head of the column to the full height of throw of the cam.

The discharge-main E is provided with two anges or double set of lugs, W W', one below and one above the contrate-wheel X, between which this wheel Xis iirmly bolted and held perfectly level. Immediately below the lower flange W is a sleeve around the pipe E, against which the inner ends of axles 19 of the cams V rest, and which serves as a guide as the wheels are wound round the pipe or column. The head of the column is provided with a. dome or hollow ball, a', forming a chamber at the top. In the drawings this chamber is shown in the most convenient form of a hollow ball. This ball is divided into hemispheres horizontally, and the hemispheres are provided with anges, by which they are fitted together, and may be fastened by bolts or by the frame shown in Fig. 3, consisting of the cross-head 13, held by the rods n n to the upper part ot the column. The nut W, being screwed down tight, holds the upper part of the column firm and compact. On one side of this ball or chamber are iixed the ears B B, which serve as journal-bearings, or the fulcrum of the lever A, which is used to open the valves. This lever is connected with the valve-stem J, near its inner end, by the links C C, the other ends of which are attached to the swivel cross-head A2, Fig. 3, so that the spout 0 and lever A may beswung round without turning the valvestem J or moving the valves on their seats.

A spring, m, attached to the end of the lever and the lower side of the chamber A', serves to hold the valve-stem J down and raise the outer end of the lever A, when the spout 0 is swung round and raised by eccentric-pinions. The spout O enters the discharge-main below the chamber A', and the lever A extends out over the spout and is about the same length.

The spout is provided with a nozzle, R, fitting over its outer end. This nozzle is supported by the links P P, pivoted at S, so as to swing out or in to accommodate itself to the opening in the tender-tank when not exactly opposite the watercolumn.

The links P P are attached to the lever A at T, and as the outer end of the lever is raised by the spring m when the spout is swung round in position for use the links P P lift the nozzle up about even with the end of the spout. The pins p p in the slots of the links serve to guide the nozzle when the end of the spout is over the opening in the tender, and the lever A is drawn down to open the valves. The nozzle R is brought down close to or let into the opening of the tender-tank.

The column Y maybe any convenient or desired height above the valve'chamber M, and is supported by sections of gas-pipe, through which rods P are passed and are firmly fastened by nuts p' at each end.

When the water-column is not in use and in position, as shown in Fig l-that is, with the spout parallel with the railroad tankthe outer end ot the lever A is resting upon or close to the spout O, and the valves cannot be opened. When the spout O is swung round a quarter-revolution at right angles to the railtrack the pinions or cams V are turned halt' round to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the entire head of the column is raised. The spring m holds the valvestem J down and lifts the outer end of the lever A, and with it the nozzle R. When the spout is in position the lever A is pulled down and the nozzle R let down to or into the opening` in the tender-tank, the valve-stem J is lifted, opening the valves 20 and 26, and the water flows freely into the tank. When the tank is full the lever Ais let go, when the springs m and h and the pressure of the water on the upper surface of valve 26 force the valves 20 and 26 back to their seats and hold them securely'. A slight push will cause the spout O, by the force of gravity, to swing back into its normal position parallel with the track, when the facets 14 on the pinions or cams V, as shown in Fig. 7, hold it firmly in place, preventing the wind from blowing round over the track. The cylinder H, while the valves are open and the piston raised, lls with water from the chamber M. As the piston is lowered with the valves the water is forced from the cylinder H through the ducts G and 17 back into M, and the piston cannot move down faster than the water can be displaced through those ducts. A complete governor is thus provided to prevent the valves closing too suddenly and causing water-ram.

When the stem is moved down-so that the lower end of the duct K is below the shell -or casting 2, the duct K is opened and the water in M is drained o.

In summer, when there is no necessity to IOO IIO

drain the column, the bolt J and lock-nut 'i may be screwed up tight, closing the duct K at all positions of the stem.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure .by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In a water-column, the combination, with the vertical discharge-main, the valve-chamber constructed with two valve-seats, and a waterinlet arranged intermediate said valve-seats, of two valves, 20 and 26, and a valve-stem having the reverse screw-threaded portions extending through said valves, and on which the latter may be adjusted toward or from each other by rotating the valve-stem, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the valve-chamber M, the valves 20 and 26, and the valve-stem extending downward through the lower wall of the valve-chamber, of the cylinder H, attached to the lower side of the valve-chamber and provided with the duct G, and the piston att-ached to the valve-stem and fitting within the said cylinder and provided with the ducts 17, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. rlhe combination of the valve-chamber M, having an aperture in its top wall provided with a packing, ot' the discharge main or pipe E, having its lower end covered and protected by the shoe D, of brass or similar non-corrosive metal, and arranged to rise and fall in the said aperture of the valvechamber, Iall substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In a water-column, the combination,with the valve-chamber M, valves 20 and 26, and valve-stem F, having the duct K, of the casting or sheath 2, through which the lower end of the valve-stem passes, and which serves to close and open the lower end of' the said duct when the valve-stem is raised or lowered, substantially as described.

5. In a water-column, the combination of the valve-chamber M, valves 20 and 26, valve-stem F, having the duct K opening through its lower end, and the casting or sheath 2, through which the valve-stem passes, of the screw-bolt t' and lock-nut J', arranged to be adjusted at the lower end of the valve-stem for closing the lower end of said duct, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination, with the vertically-movable and rotating discharge-main of a watercolumn, of a series of rotating eccentrically pivoted pinions, and a crown-wheel xed to the discharge-main and engaging with the said pinions, substantially as described, for elevating and lowering the discharge-main as it is rotated, as set forth.

7. The combination, with a water-column and the discharge-main, of a series of pivoted eccentrics on the water-column and a horizontal wheel on the discharge-main resting on the eccentrics and adapted to raise and lower the discharge-main as the latter is rotated, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a water-column for railroads, a series of eccentrics journaled on the tixed part of the watercolumn and supporting the rotating and vertically-movable discharge-main, substantially as described, whereby when the latter is rotated it is automatically elevated and lowered by the rotation of said eccentrics, as set forth.

9. 1n a water-column, the combination ofthe verticallymovable valve-stem J, the pivoted lever A, connected with the valve-stem near its inner end, and at its outer end connected with the discharge-nozzle, and the spring m, connected with the inner end of the lever A, for depressing the valve-stem, substantially as shown and described.

10. In a water-column, the combination ofthe valve-stem J, the swiveled cross-head A2, the pivoted links C, the pivoted lever A, the spring m, and the discharge-nozzle It, connected with the outer end of the said lever, substantially as described.

ll. In a water-column ,the combination, with the discharge-main E and spout O, of the discharge-nozzle R, links P, pivoted to said nozzle, and the lever A, pivoted to the other ends of the links and connected with the valve-stem J, all substantially as described.

THEO. J. MCGOWAN.

Witnesses:

JEREMIAH F. TwoHIGf, J AMES D. ORANLEY. 

